Annual barbecue to be held July 9

Tuesday, June 28, 2011By Lindsay Reed

The Wheaton Fire Department will host its 53rd annual barbecue in the Wheaton City Park on Saturday, July 9.

Concessions will be offered by the fire department. Volunteer firefighters will begin serving barbecued chicken and barbecue pork sandwiches at 11:30 a.m. Chicken meals will also include a baked potato, baked beans, bread and milk or coffee, and sandwiches will be served with baked beans.

Dessert will be available at the fireman's ice cream booth or the Wheaton United Methodist Church's homemade pie booth.

Free booth space will be available for arts and crafts vendors. Large tents will be set up to offer shade during the event. For more information, call 417-652-7359 or 417-652-3632.

The annual Spud McCracken Memorial Horseshoe Pitch will kick off at 11 a.m. This year's event will offer $200 in added money. For more information or to pre-register a two-man team for the tournament, call 835-3003.

Several groups are scheduled to perform in the city park gazebo throughout the afternoon. The Flying Buzzards Bluegrass Band will perform at 4 p.m., and Barry County Connection will take the stage at 5 p.m. Wilderness Road will entertain audience members at 6 p.m., and Glory Bound will perform at 7 p.m.

Attendees will once again have the opportunity to purchase chances on the annual duck race. Ducks will be sold at a booth in the park until the race begins at 8 p.m. The following cash prizes will be awarded to the duck race winners: first place, $500; second place, $250; third place, $125; fourth place, $75; and fifth place, $50.

Edwina Tichenor will offer karaoke in the park after the duck race.

All proceeds from the annual barbecue celebration will benefit the Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department. Funds will be used to purchase new firefighting equipment.